Site rendering: Transwestern
There’s still no sign of Transwestern’s re-zoning application and traffic study for the luxury apartment proposal for the northeast corner of Preston and Northwest Highway.
However, some more influential people are getting involved in the debate. The Dallas Morning News reports that former Dallas mayor Laura Miller, a Preston Hollow resident, sent a letter to City Councilman Lee Kleinman, urging him to hold a larger public form on the issue — at a venue that could hold up to 600 people, her letter states.
She notes the issue is of great interest not just to those living adjacent to the property. Her letter was signed by representatives all over the neighborhood: Preston Hollow South, Preston Hollow East, Preston Hollow North, Briarwood, Inwood-Northwest Highway, Devonshire, Caruth Hills, Lane Park, Windsor Park, Chapel Valley, Cochran Hollow, La Strada and Sorrento.
There also are signatures from Sen. John Carona, County Commissioner Mike Cantrell, former State Rep. Steven Wolens, and former City Councilman Mitchell Rasansky.
According to the DMN, Kleinman declined the request, saying that such a meeting would yield no new information. His answer resulted in some friction (click through the DMN for more).
[quote align=”right” color=”#000000″]”We’re always torn in what’s in the best interest of the neighborhoods and what’s in the best interest of the City of Dallas. Clearly a change-out of the housing stock on that corner would be an improvement not only in the look and feel but an improvement in the taxable values, which means we could provide more services to the city. That’s kind of the balancing act.” —Councilman Lee Kleinman[/quote]Throughout the debate, Kleinman has said he remains neutral on the issue until it comes before the city. At a neighborhood rally back in February, he told the opposition, “We’re always torn in what’s in the best interest of the neighborhoods and what’s in the best interest of the City of Dallas. Clearly a change-out of the housing stock on that corner would be an improvement not only in the look and feel but an improvement in the taxable values, which means we could provide more services to the city. That’s kind of the balancing act.”
If you’re just tuning into this issue, Kleinman is representing neighbors in place of City Councilwoman Jennifer Stabauch Gates who had to recuse herself from the process over a conflict of interest, which we reported on here.
The developers want to replace the 36 units on that corner with 220-225 units at six stories. Current zoning allows for just three stories.
Just on the other side of Northwest Highway in Preston Center, a much larger and more extravagant luxury apartment proposal is headed to the City Plan Commission.
